1996 Citroen Xantia Reviews - Page 12 of 12

1996 Citroen Xantia LX Estate 1.9 turno diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Steer clear of floods!

Faults:

Don't take a Xantia anywhere near a flood, I had to drive through about 1.5ft of water during the floods in October 2000, I raised the suspension to it's max, but because the air intake is so low it sucked water into the air filter which then bent a con-rod causing the engine to seize. Cost nearly £3000 to replace! Other cars were going through fine.

30th Jun 2002, 10:44

I would just like to warn people with the New Citroen C5 that this is also a problem with the C5. The cost of the repair though, will be substantially higher. I went through about 4" of water at a slow speed and My car sucked up water when every other car on the road went through just fine.

22nd Apr 2001, 16:20

I've looked at your site. Joking apart, If reliability is what your after look no further than a Nissan. Okay, they may not be the most forward thinking of companies in terms of flair and design but believe they don't half make decent cars. We have 2 Bluebirds in our household, one F reg, the other D reg. The D reg one has been with us for 12 years and the only thing needed was a power-steering rack, nowt else (apart from wear and tear brakes, exhaust, battery). I was actually looking into owning a Xantia 1.9VSX Diesel because I do a fair amount of mileage but your site and other reader comments are putting me off! Is there anyone out here with a good thing to say about the Xantia? I know someone he does have one and he is very pleased with it and its done over 120,000 miles!

Faults:

General Comments:

When this car goes, it goes well. But when this car breaks down, it does it in style.

I've just dumped the car, not because I didn't like driving it - it's a really good cruiser (No good for parking or round town, however - no turning circle). I dumped the car because every little thing that was going wrong turned into a major drama. Even common failures, such as the PLASTIC linkage between the clutch cable and pedal. "Common failure" said the dealer, "but we'll have to take the dash out to replace it".

Every little thing that goes wrong requires the removal of either the engine or dashboard.

5th May 2003, 10:20

Unfortunately these problems are more a result of appalling Citroen main dealers in the UK, than a design fault of the car.

The height correctors need a small amount of grease on them about once a year to stop them seizing, about a 5-minute job.

The clutch pedal clip DOES NOT need the dash to be removed to replace it - despite what Citroen dealers may tell you! An independent Citroen specialist will change it in a little over an hour without removing the dash, and charge about a tenth of the price of a dealer.

17th Jan 2004, 09:25

The plastic linkage is prone to failure, especially if the clutch operation is heavy, due to wear of either the clutch or the cable. I have had three fail in under two and a half years!!! This does reduce one's confidence in an otherwise solid and comfortable car. Apparently there is a company based in Gloucester who manufacture a metal replacement which should hopefully be more robust in service. They can be contacted at: CGS Autosystems, 01452 311 110. I'm phoning them on Monday as the damned clip has just snapped on my driveway!

19th Mar 2007, 03:39

20th Mar 2007, 16:13

20th March 2007.

I have had two plastic clutch pedal clip breakages. The first was replaced by a contortionist, the second by an engineer who cut through the bolt with a power saw. If Citroen had fitted the bolt the other way round, nut on the outside, it would be no problem to change.

Water collecting in the rear seat wells is due a leaking plastic membrane in the rear door, allowing the water to run through the lock and under the boot mat.

1996 Citroen Xantia LX 1.8i 16v from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Alarm, water pump, aircon.

General Comments:

Car has been a pleasure to drive and mechanically reliable. Aircon has never worked since new. Dealer has been unable to fix the problem and Citroen UK are not interested. Hence, I will not buy another Citroen.

1996 Citroen Xantia LX 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Faults:

General Comments:

Superb car. Suspension brilliant but not if you suffer travel sickness. Immobiliser key-pad is a pain. Overall though the best car, of many, that I have owned. Brilliant on motorways when Turbo diesel comes into its own..